cause a stir
Generate considerable buzz
To cause a stir is to generate excitement, controversy, or widespread attention.
The phrase suggests disrupting a calm state—like stirring still water: Her resignation caused quite a stir.
The stir can be positive buzz or negative commotion, depending on context.
- make wavesCause a disturbance
- provokeIncite a response
- buzzContinuous low drone
- ruffle feathersTo annoy or disturb
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
disturb · controversy · kerfuffle · ruckus · furore · sensation · ripple effect · brouhaha · rock the boat · shake things up · uproar · kick up a fuss · outrage · raise eyebrows · make a splash · disruption · backlash · hubbub
- making troublemake waves, raise Cain, kick up a fuss, upset the apple cart, ruffle feathers
- troublemakingtroublemaker, troublemaking, instigate, agitator, instigating
- Making a Splashdebut, premiere, unveiling, entrance, grand entrance
- making wavesmake a splash, rock the boat, shake up, disrupt, uproar
cause a stirfly under the radar
Evade attention deliberately
pass unnoticed · slip under the radar · blend in · keep a low profile
cause a stirconform
Behave as expected
toe the line · blend in · keep the peace · keep a low profile · go with the flow
stir, cause, stirring, commotion, stirred, caused, stirs, causes, causing